Sermons

Cowardice is a sin— Jesus knows exactly what is in our hearts, and loves us just the same. His own courageous love drove Him to lay down His life for us, going as far as death on a cross.

What a good thing, when we are in deep trouble, God pays attention. He involves Himself. He focuses His wisdom and concern on us, and stretches out His hand to pull us out.

Peter would remember that night for the rest of his life—how he sat with Jesus’ enemies, how they recognized him and began to whisper, the outright accusations—and his own denials, “I don’t even know that Man!” And then Jesus’ look. No words at all, just Jesus turning and looking at Peter. And it broke Peter’s heart.

God was working to rescue us—by laying down His own life on the cross to break the power of darkness and rescue us. Now that Jesus has risen from the dead, all of us who trust in Him are free—children of God, alive forever.

Blessed relief from pain. And then standing there dazed as he watched the rest of his group haul his Savior away to trial and death. Did the man tell his family this story? Did he—just possibly—find his way into the early Christian church, after Jesus’ death and resurrection?

Once upon a time Judas was a faithful teacher and preacher and healer, like the rest of the twelve. If one of the apostles could end up this way, what hope is there for me?

No matter what kind of suffering we are having, He is there for us. He is paying attention, holding us up, getting us through it—even when we cannot sense His presence, and it feels like God doesn’t care

Judas was just like the rest of them. He had been hand-picked by Jesus, just as they were; he had worked hard in the ministry; he had even gone out as all the apostles did, to preach and heal and cast out demons. Only John seemed to realize there was a problem (see John 12:6).

John 17:20-24 makes clear. You are among those people Jesus loves. His suffering, death, and resurrection are highly personal—because He faced them for you.